Army
Deepcut: Pte James 'Desperate To Get Out Of Guard Duty'
The inquest has resumed in to the death of Private Cheryl James who was found shot dead at Deepcut barracks in 1995.
It had been expected to hear evidence from the detective who led the Surrey Police inquiry in to her death and that of another soldier at the site, but he has been excused from taking the stand.
The coroner heard from a fellow recruit, who said Pte James was desperate to get out of guard duty the day she died.
Glen Rankin told the inquest Pte James appeared "drunk" and "upset" when he spoke to her the night before her death. He said:
"Cheryl didn't want to be on guard duty the following morning. She was asking me to say she had been in trouble and say she was drunk and put her in a cell.
"She was pretty drunk. She was a bit upset I would say. She was pretty adamant she didn't want to go on guard duty for whatever reason that was."
Mr Rankin said he was "surprised" to see Private James arrive for guard duty the following day and she appeared "quite happy".
Privates Sean Benton, 20, James Collinson, 17, and Geoff Gray, 17, also died from gunshot wounds at the barracks between 1995 and 2002.
The inquest was adjourned until Wednesday.
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Deepcut picture: Ron Strutt
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